Trout Lake levy vote slated for Feb. 8

M&O ballot replaces one passed in 2003

Registered voters in the Trout Lake School District will cast ballots early next month on a two-year replacement levy that would pay for maintenance and operations expenses not covered by state basic education funding.

The levy election -- set for Tuesday, Feb. 8 -- would raise $237,000 in 2006-07 and $230,500 in 2007-08.

In the first year of collection, the levy would cost the owner of property valued at $150,000 about $342 (based on an approximate levy rate of $2.28 per $1,000 of assessed valuation). The rate would drop to approximately $2.16 in the second year.

Voter approval of the proposed levy -- which was formulated by a 14-member citizen advisory committee -- would make the district eligible for an estimated $57,000 per year of state levy equalization money, which won't be available if the levy fails.

Trout Lake area voters approved a two-year levy in 2003 by a margin of 63.92 percent for to 36.08 against -- more than enough Yes votes to meet the 60 percent supermajority required by state law.

According to the Klickitat County Auditor's Office, at least 212 voters must participate to help the new levy election reach the statutory 40 percent turnout threshold.

Absentee voters must mail their ballots postmarked no later than Feb. 8, or return them in person to the Auditor's Office by 5 p.m. on Feb. 8.